ALBERTA GREENS CALL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL BILL OF RIGHTS

CALGARY – The Green Party of Alberta supports the introduction of an “Environmental Bill of Rights” (EBR) for the province of Alberta. Enunciating a major platform statement in advance of the 2019 provincial general election, Green Party of Alberta Leader, Cheryle Chagnon-Greyeyes, indicated “This measure supports Albertans’ rights to clean air, water and soil, with the ability to hold the government accountable for environmental decision-making, including appeals or investigations when environmental laws are broken.”

Chagnon-Greyeyes, who is also the Green Party’s Nominated Candidate in the riding of Calgary – Varsity, says “The EBR would legally enshrine the right of Albertans to a healthy and ecologically balanced environment and would impose a duty on the government of Alberta to protect the environment under its jurisdiction for the benefit of both present and future generations. It would clearly specify the means by which Albertans could force the government to comply with provincial environmental law, including the EBR itself.”

The Greens believe the enactment of such Bill would empower residents of the province. One of its mechanisms would give every Albertan the right to go to the courts to protect the environment by bringing an environmental protection action against the Government of Alberta for failing to fulfill its duties as trustee of the environment or failing to enforce an environmental law.

The Alberta Ministry of Environment & Parks (AEP), which supports environmental conservation and protection, sustainable economic prosperity, quality of life and outdoor recreation opportunities, would take responsibility for the EBR. The AEP would develop a “Statement of Environmental Values” as a guide for the ministry decisions that affect our environment when deciding environmentally significant issues, thus being held accountable to the people of Alberta.

The Green Party of Alberta supports and champions an Environmental Bill of Rights to ensure protection of Alberta’s natural assets for our children, our grandchildren, our great-grandchildren and generations to come.

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For more information, please contact:

Cheryle Chagnon-Greyeyes
Leader of the Green Party of Alberta and Nominated Candidate in Calgary-Varsity.